Strategies to Improve Air Quality

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is pioneering research into the removal of heavy metal from coal-fired power stations in the People’s Republic of China. The initiative is part of the new China Huadian Engineering Corporation Limited’s Clean and Efficient Coal Technology Consortium which was set up to address the nation’s air pollution problem.

UNNC is leading the research effort under the auspices of R&D on the Novel and Highly-Efficient Particulate Matter Removal Technology for Coal-Fired Power Plants and its Demonstration, which is a major national R&D project funded by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

The UNNC team, headed by Professor Tao Wu, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering, is developing materials to remove particulate matter, as well as mercury from coal-fired power stations which could lead to lower emissions.

China is the world’s largest consumer of coal which is its main energy source. The impact of coal utilisation in China has resulted in significant levels of pollution. As a member of the Consortium, UNNC’s unique research could have a major impact on air quality in China and will contribute to the nation’s bid to clean up air pollution.

Professor Wu said: "As our air pollution problems become more pressing, it is vital that we find viable solutions and strategies to improve air quality. UNNC’s research focuses on improving the efficiency of removing particulate matter and mercury in existing coal-fired power plants which could potentially lead to significant reductions in PM2.5 emissions. When it is commercialised, our technology will have a major impact in transforming our current power generation practice. Our involvement in the Huadian Engineering Consortium is an exciting opportunity to create an entirely new solution to address air pollution and it demonstrates UNNC’s capacity for innovation.

"Our research programme also highlights the benefits of reduced emissions, and lower energy consumption, as well as lower operating costs, and more importantly, improved air quality."

China is carrying out a major national energy efficiency improvement programme, which includes improving the thermal efficiency and environmental performance of its existing coal-fired power plants.

The China HuaDian Engineering Corporation’s Clean and Efficient Coal Technology Consortium was established in 2017 to participate in China’s National Key R&D Programme.

The R&D on the Novel and Highly-Efficient Particulate Matter Removal Technology for Coal-Fired Power Plants and its Demonstration focuses on the development and demonstration of particulate matter emission control in China.

This article has been republished from materials provided by the University of Nottingham. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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